Dealing

June 27 2003
We hear through the media that the local prosecutor's office in Puck (an anti-abortion stronghold) is forced to start an investigation concerning the possible distribution of illegal medicine on Polish territory. The prosecutors say that they suspect that the missing Mifegyne pills kept on board Langenort are being sold on Polish territory. Although this investigation causes a considerable media stir, the prosecutor assures us that we should not worry about them pressing charges. Of course Women on Waves has not distributed any medication on Polish territory. If we had we wouldn't have needed a ship to sail out to international waters.

Press team, Jeannette: "It never occurred to me that one day I would be uncomfortable crossing the street to get something stupid as a pack of cigarettes. Being followed by six guys and encircled by them, having eggs thrown at me, the threats and insults by phone and e-mail or by screaming at me has this uncanny effect on me. I try to ignore it, but it gets under my skin. Some hours of the day I feel relaxed and the intimidation has no effect on me, at other times I ask other people to walk me to a store or café so I feel safe while moving around town."

Hotline team, Yvette: “When women call the hotline asking for the pill I can only respond that it is not possible for me to talk about those things on Polish territory. “

Some hotline messages:
- J., 20 years old from Lublin, last period on June 5th. She had been taking the Logest anti-conception pill. After 2 weeks she stopped taking the Pill and had unprotected sex. 40 hours after intercourse she took the morning-after pill. She thought that normally she should get her period after 4 hours. But her period hasn't started yet. She asks if there is something that could have influenced the effectiveness of the morning-after pill. Would a doctor be able to see anything on the sonogram? Are the pills harmful if she is pregnant? When should she take a pregnancy test? We advise her on all her questions.
- S., 16 years old from Wejcherowo last period the end of April. It’s too late to help her. We advise her to look at the website.
- J., 37 years old from Kwidzyn, last period June 2nd, positive pregnancy test. She is crying on the phone and asks us to be very discreet on the phone if her son answers. She phones again on June 28th but then gives up trying to call us. She has passed the deadline.
- A. 19 years old from Goldap last period on May 14th. We make an appointment with her, and she will try to come the next morning to Wladyslawowo.

Gazeta Wyborcza, 27-06-2003: “Polish Women Sail Too�: The abortion ship Langenort sailed out on Thursday with 11 volunteers. Giertych, a politician from the LPR said that the army was protecting the Langenort and that he was mocked for not understanding the difference between the border patrol and the army. Piotr Gadzinowski of the SLD (Social Democratic Party) asked how it was possible that such violent attacks on the Langenort were allowed to happen.

Jolanta Twardowska, spokesperson of the customs office at Gdynia: "According to our counts there are indeed some pills missing. However there is no violation of the customs regulations. The ship was outside territorial waters when the seal was broken, which is allowed."

Kazimierz Olejnik, general prosecutor-elect: "If something is missing, according to our procedures we have to investigate what has happened to it. That is what we will do." The investigation concerning the distribution of abortion pills has already started in Gdansk. "We are going to investigate why there are pills missing from the ship. It is difficult to tell when we will complete the investigation. Because there were also Polish citizens on board while the seals were removed we can not exclude a breach of the law. Such a violation of the law is punishable by up to 2 years imprisonment".

BBC News, 27-6-2003: Abortion Ship Extends Polish Stay. “The crew of the floating Dutch abortion clinic has said that their ship will stay at a Polish port for another week despite protests by opponents.� The BBC’s Adam Eason in Warsaw says the visit of the Langenort has prompted talk-show discussions, parliamentary debate and vitriolic condemnation from the Church and conservative political leaders. "The ship’s visit angered Poland’s influential Roman Catholic Church and anti-abortion groups that have asked prosecutors to investigate if its presence violates Poland’s laws.�

Polish volunteer, Monika: "On the way to Wladyslawowo, I knew that I was about do something important and necessary. I knew I had to fight for the right to decide about our own bodies. But only after I sailed away for the first time did I realise how absurd and hostile the Polish law is to women. A woman who wants to follow her own feelings and conscience is forced to board a ship that sailed 5 days for her from a foreign country and comes here to help sail her away from the jurisdiction of this fucked-up country. I saw women covering their faces like orthodox Muslims. I witnessed women being subjected to body searches and a humiliating customs clearance. This was, according to the words of the customs officials, “normal procedure�. The protesters yelled “murderers� at us and threw eggs at the women who came here to help. I’m furious and I want to cry, but such an experience gives me a lot of power and determination for activities in the future."